Herkimer College Communication & Media A.S.

05/06/2026

Featured Communication & Media grad! Congrats, Sean!

As we count down to Commencement 2026, we’re spotlighting some of our graduating students. 🎓
“My Herkimer experience was a really great time. All of the staff was very welcoming and helped me with everything I needed to get through.” ~ Sean Morris '26, Communication and Media A.S.
Congratulations, Sean! 👏

05/04/2026

Congrats to the new hires! Excited to have Communication Arts: New Media grad Katie Maneen return to HCCC!

We’re pleased to welcome two new members to our admissions team! Brandon Noga has been appointed director of admissions, bringing experience from Colgate University and Utica University. Katie Maneen has been named assistant director of admissions. A Herkimer alum, she returns to campus after working in admissions at SUNY Morrisville and Utica University. We’re excited to have Brandon and Katie on campus and look forward to the impact they’ll make in helping future Generals find their place at Herkimer!

https://loom.ly/s4aev0w

04/30/2026

The Communication & Media program received a Department Service Award for contributions by students and staff to the college and surrounding community. Thank you to President Dr. Grates Day for the recognition!

04/29/2026

Field Trip! HCCC alum Cari Knight brought her Visual Communications class from Jefferson-Lewis BOCES for a visit. Students toured the campus, enjoyed lunch at the cafeteria, and participated in media-related activities. What an awesome group!

04/28/2026

The 2026 Phaethon release is in the books. Thanks to all who attended! Phaethon is the award-winning arts and literary magazine of Herkimer County Community College.

Credits:

Faculty Advisors: Blake Pitcher, Matthew Powers & Andrew Devitt

Cover Photo: Elijah Williams

Publication Team:

Fiction Editor

Alyssa K. Leggett

Visual Editor
Hailey Ramos

Visual Editor
Jillian Hutchinson

Visual Editor
Avery Richard

Visual Editor
Elijah Williams

Visual Editor
Luke Bednar

Contributors:

PAIGE AUSTIN, Art Studio
LUKE BEDNAR, Communication & Media
JEREMY BELL, Science
MAKENZIE BOARDMAN, Art Studio
ALYSE CANNON, Communication & Media
HALEY CORNINE, Art Studio
BRODIE DAVIS, General Studies
RYHONN FORD, General Studies
SIDNEY GILLOGLY, Humanities
PAT FREZZA-GRESSLER, Amnesty International HC Adviser
SAMUEL HAAR, General Studies
GWEN HALLIGAN, General Studies
PENNY JOHNSTON, Psychology
MILA HAMMINK, General Studies
TSZ LAM HE, General Studies
JAMES HERZOG, General Studies
YVONNE KESTER, Librarian for Public Services & Archives
ALINA KOZULYA, Art Studio
BRANDON KOSICKI, Computer Science
ALYSSA K. LEGGETT, Health Professions
NICOLE MARINO, Crime & Intelligence Analysis
TSUBASA MORISAKA, General Studies
SEAN MORRIS, Communication & Media
LILLIAN NORRIS, Art Studio
HAILEY RAMOS, Communication & Media
HANNAH RATHBONE, Psychology
AMANI SANTANA, Art Studio
SHUNTARO YATSU, General Studies
TOM STOCK, Facilities Project Manager
FRANK TUBMAN
LUKE UCHIDA, General Studies
WILLOW SVETLANA VAYDENFELD, Art Studio
AVA WILLIAMS, Psychology
ELIJAH WILLIAMS, Communication & Media
MOHAN ZHAO, General Studies

04/28/2026

HCCC art faculty Maryann Wrinn and Justin Como join The Generally Speaking Podcast to discuss art, education and the future.

04/24/2026

Big thanks to Syracuse.com sports journalist and HCCC alum Brent Axe for coming out and talking to students in EN 161 - Journalism this week!

Brent has been a sports commentator in Central New York for 25 years and counting. His work has earned recognition from the Associated Press, Syracuse Press Club and Journalists Association of New York. He previously hosted radio shows on Sportsradio 620 WHEN, The Score 1260, ESPN Radio Syracuse and Sirius XM.

01/30/2026

Communication & Media capstone students back in action 🎥📚

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! Communication & Media major Elijah Williams asks students and others where they like to study on campus for Question of the Week.